March 25, 2011 is the deadline to apply for grants toward the development of innovative strategies for humane, non-lethal wildlife management and non-invasive scientific research.

Washington, D.C. -- AWI is now accepting applications for its 2011 Christine Stevens Wildlife Awards. This award program, named in honor of the organization’s late founder and president for over 50 years, provides $10,000 grants to award recipients to help spur innovative and creative research on humane, non-lethal tools and techniques for wildlife conflict management and the scientific study of wild species.

Habitat destruction and degradation, urban and suburban sprawl, and ongoing challenges posed by invasive species make conflicts between wildlife and humans inevitable. Homeowners, property managers, and biologists need effective, non-lethal, and humane strategies to deal with conflicts - whether the encounter involves coyotes, deer, Canada geese, bears, exotic species, or a host of other animals. Though humane techniques to address some situations have been developed, more are needed. Scientists and animals would also benefit from the development of non-invasive methods that facilitate more efficient and effective studies of wild species.

The Christine Stevens Wildlife Awards were established to stimulate and support efforts to discover new techniques, test existing products, develop educational tools, and devise new strategies to humanely defuse wildlife conflicts or devise non-invasive wildlife research methodologies. With this award program we aim to honor Mrs. Stevens’ legacy and inspire a new generation of compassionate wildlife scientists, managers and advocates.